Zika virus (
ZIKV) infection is a global health issue due to its worldwide diffusion and to the related effects on neural progenitor cells with severe consequences on developing brain as well as on the central nervous system of adults. Previous studies showed that
ZIKV infection induces an increment of IL1B expression in the central nervous system and also in the blood. IL-1β is a pro-inflammatory
cytokine essential for cellular defence, tissue repair and
neuroinflammation, a mechanism seen to be associated with several
neuroinflammatory diseases.
25-hydroxycholesterol (25-HC) is a natural
oxysterol, derived from hydroxylation of
cholesterol, possessing important
antiviral activity possibly correlated to its ability to alter host membrane structures. Furthermore, 25-HC is involved in the modulation of IL1B gene expression, being able to suppress IL-1β driven
inflammation probably by blocking the activation of the SREB
proteins. In our study, we analysed the
antiviral action of 25-HC in ZIKV-infected U-87 MG cells, also evaluating its impact on
inflammation and cell death. We demonstrated that 25-HC is able to reduce
inflammation and cell death caused by
ZIKV infection and also to diminish intracellular ZIKV load in U-87 MG glial cell line. Considering its
antiviral activity and its ability to penetrate blood-brain barrier, 25-HC could be proposed, based on our results and literature findings, as a potential anti-ZIKV agent.